Award-winning installation ‘Urban Fabric’ hosted at Umm Al Emarat Park
- 28 Dec 2022
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
Art enthusiasts are in for a treat at Umm Al Emarat Park, which is hosting the award-winning art installation “Urban Fabric”, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF). Made up of a series of four sculptures resembling pieces of thread, the piece was handsomely awarded the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award for 2022. Located at the Park’s Shade House Lawn, it will be on view to visitors until January 2, 2023.
The installation was conceptualised and built by New York University Abu Dhabi students Roudhah Al Mazrouei, Gerald Jason Cruz and Jennifer Tsai. The forms of the work intertwine and interlace into the ground, representing the interconnected nature of Abu Dhabi as a city. Internationally acclaimed artists Christo and his wife and artistic partner Jeanne-Claude had a relationship with the UAE spanning four decades.
It was Christo’s desire to support emerging artists in the UAE that resulted in the creation of an award in his name in 2012. The artist duo created highly celebrated works of art around the world, changing the concept of public art by creating temporary works that were transitory by design. Jeanne-Claude passed away in 2009, and Christo died in 2020.
Umm Al Emarat Park is inviting art fans to enjoy the installation in the outdoors, alongside the Park’s calendar of events including the Park Market, which brings the community together to experience a fun family day out filled with local food, goods and entertainment; BOUNCE pop-up trailer for those in the mood of trying new tricks; back-to-back movies for the whole family at Cinema in the Park; and animal feeding and fun pony or camel rides at the Animal Barn.
ADMAF was established in 1996 as one of the earliest cultural foundations in the Gulf region and Arab world. It supports the sustainability and creativity of the cultural industry and contributes to enriching Abu Dhabi as a cultural beacon. Umm Al Emarat Park, formerly known as Mushrif Central Park, was first opened to visitors in 1982. It is one of the oldest and largest urban parks in Abu Dhabi, centrally located on 15th Street between Airport Road and Karamah Street.
In 2013, Umm Al Emarat Park was closed for redevelopment over a period of 24 months. The overall design of the new park honours the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his vision of preserving the United Arab Emirates’ cultural and natural history. Furthermore, it supports the platform for ‘education through recreation’ for various age groups, opportunities for different community sectors to implement their common goals, promotes an active lifestyle that contributes to a healthy society and encourages the dynamic local culture, heritage and tradition.
Sustainability has also been a core focus of the park’s design; the projects team took on the challenge of salvaging over 200 existing mature trees that were over 20 years old. After extensive redevelopment, the park reopened to the public in 2015. The opening weekend attracted a record of 25,000 visitors. On Arabic Language Day (Dec. 18) and within its alfresco Park Market, Umm Al Emarat Park also hosted a line-up of creative initiatives to commemorate the contribution of the Arabic language to human civilisation and culture.
Visitors enjoyed puppet shows and hakawati storytelling shows by Bait Al Arabi; avid readers also had the opportunity to buy from a collection of Arabic books that were on display by Bait Al Arabi. Those looking for a creative outlet participated in three calligraphy workshops provided by Medusa Foundation, where participants learnt how to write Arabic calligraphy on different material like paper or cloth and on wood using Wood Burning Art, in addition to hand crafts that are dedicated to draw and sew Arabic letters.
Kaza Design provided a calligraphy workshop that taught participants how to write on bags, scarfs and T-shirts. Little ones participated in Arabic quizzes that took place at the Park’s Great Lawn, where five lucky winners were named each day; they also got the chance to win fun prizes. Umm Al Emarat Park also celebrated the UAE’s 50th National Day (Dec. 2) with a line-up of activities that included the ‘Journey through Achievements’ maze, the Park Market launch, live broadcasting of the official National Day celebration, plus others.
As a tribute to the year of the 50th, visitors could first visit Umm Al Emarat Park’s ‘Journey through Achievements’ maze that highlighted 50 key milestones of the UAE in 50 years. Park visitors could immerse themselves in the maze to enrich their knowledge of the UAE and learn about the nation’s achievements across sectors.
Given that the Park is a meeting place that builds on the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed, who was known for his devotion to the environment and nature, the maze included a special focus on his vision to green the desert. Storytelling sessions on the UAE’s history, UAE themed paintings, food and more, also took place. Rasha Kablawi, Head of Umm Al Emarat Park’s Corporate Affairs and Communication Department said: “We are very excited to mark the UAE’s 50th National Day at the Park and celebrate the nation that we all call home with a variety of activities that reflect the achievements of the nation and the culture of its people.”
